As many of you know, our family is a big fan of Build-A-Bear Workshop! Years ago, I knew they offered a fun experience for adults and children alike, but it wasn't until we had kids who could enjoy it too, that I saw just how special it truly it is! Build-A-Bear Workshop offers children (and adults) the opportunity to make their own stuffed animal. Whether it's something for yourself, or someone else, it's a great way to make a personal and meaningful gift for a friend.

We have visited Build-A-Bear Workshop several times and the fun of getting to make their very own animals is something that never gets old for Kaelyn and Kaden. Everything from picking out a new furry friend to having a hand in stuffing him/her, bathing them, dressing them and naming them makes it an extra special experience unlike any other.

We live quite a distance from the nearest Build-A-Bear Workshop store though, so this means we aren't able to visit as much as we'd like. Thankfully though, they offer a super cute collection of featured pals right online. I used to think the only way to make a stuffed animal was go into an actual store, but their online selection and super user-friendly site makes it easy to purchase and make adorable gifts with the click of a button! You can even customize them with a song!!

In the month of April, Build-A-Bear has been featuring some adorable animals... here are a few:

We were excited to learn we were going to have the opportunity to review Twinkle Butterfly and Rainbow Hugs Bear!

As always, each new friend arrived in a Build-A-Bear Workshop signature box. This makes getting them in the mail that much more fun and so much like being able to get one right in the store! What child wouldn't love to see one of these land on their doorstep?! 

As we pulled each of the animals out of their box, I was impressed with the quality. I have reviewed many Build-A-Bear Workshop animals, but the quality never ceases to amaze me. So much time goes into the details....it's awesome!

Kaelyn was especially thrilled about Twinkle Butterfly. What I love about Build-A-Bear Workshop is that not all of their animals are bears or typical animals. This one is very unique, and the fact that she's purple is what stood out to Kaelyn.

 

I love that she has sparkle and is so pretty. She even has removeable wings so changing her clothes is easy. It's probably one of the neatest Build-A-Bear Workshop animals I've seen to date.

Kaden is a little boy who loves bright colors, and was all smiles when he caught a glimpse of Rainbow Hugs Bear. This bear is extremely colorful, not to mention so soft and cuddly. He enjoys carrying it around, giving it hugs and sleeping with it.

These are just a couple of the many great options to choose from right on the Build-A-Bear Workshop website. Their collection of cuddly friends is outstanding! And of course, if you live near a Build-A-Bear Workshop, you can always go into the store and make a friend of your choosing. If you've never done this before, I highly recommend it.

**The product for this review was provided for free. All opinions are my own.

Glad Black Bag has been encouraging moms to celebrate life's wild moments this month. They understand that life can get wild and messes happen when families are having fun, which is why they want to make cleanups easier than ever and have fun while doing it. The Picker Sisters teamed up with Glad Black Bag and Keep America Beautiful this month to celebrate and cleanup life's wild moments and find great ways to reuse trash. Afterall, "one person's trash is another person's treasure", right?!


I think it's really neat how they've found that things that are created or broken in our biggest celebrations can be repurposed in new ways that honor the memory, but create great style. How creative! Between the Picker Sister's expertise and partnering with celebrated mosaic artist Jason Mecier, Glad Black Bag showed the beauty and benefits of turning trash into treasures. He created four works of art utilizing people's trash which were auctioned on eBay for consumers to bid on from April 16 to April 26 (all proceeds benefited KAB's Great America Cleanup). You can check out the Glad Recycled Art Auction, here.

How about you, have you ever been upset over a broken glass or spill on a chair? Life is full of these moments (especially with little ones). If so, you may want to take the same approach to reusing discarded items and making something beautiful out of them. If you are seeking an eye for design, the Picker Sisters have provided a few tips and tools to help you spot potential items for your house.

1. Items should be beautiful and practical. For instance, using an old trunk as a coffee table. I think this is a fantastic point, and something my parents have done with some of the pieces they got from my grandparents when they passed away. They use an old chest as a bench. By throwing some padded pillows on the top...it's a very attractive and useful piece!

2. Another tip is to mix the old with the new, modern with antique, etc. It brings freshness to your style.

3. Freshen up pieces, don't throw them out. If you have dining room chairs that have endured more spills than you can count (sounds like our household!), think about reupholstering the cushions with a new print or maybe a spill-proof material. After reading this tip a while back, I've been strongly considering this with our kitchen bar stools that have fabric on them!

4. Keep your eyes open and draw inspiration from everywhere (magazines, the Internet, nature, etc).

In celebration of this fun celebration and cleanup of life's wild moments, we were sent a box of Glad Black Bags to review. With the weather getting nicer outside, we have a lot of yard work to do which I thought these bags would be perfect for (not to mention the household cleanup we always have on a daily basis).

I could tell the quality was fantastic and Glad ForceFlex Black Bags did not disappoint. These bags have proven to handle the toughest jobs. The bags are large and tough which made it the perfect place to put our leaves, sticks and bushes we trimmed up. I couldn't believe how much they held! One of my favorite features is the convenient easy-to-seal closures. This makes it so what goes in, stays in.

My husband has used these bags a lot in the time we've had them for review, and he really appreciates how well they handle whatever life throws our way. The Diamond Texture stretches to prevent rips and tears. This is especially nice when sharper things like sticks are going inside. We had no problems with the bags, they have held up beautifully!

Do you have big jobs to clean up around the house and/or yard this Spring? If so, you may want to consider the Glad ForceFlex Black Bag. They are available in 30 gallon or 33 gallon sizes and come with a drawstring and quick tie closures.



*I wrote this review while participating in a blog tour campaign by Mom Central Consulting on behalf of Glad Black Bag and received a Glad Black Bag product and a promotional item to thank me for taking the time to participate. I was also asked to "pin" one (1) Glad Black Bag Art Auction photo on Pinterest.

One thing we can never have enough of around our house is office products. Between bills, my blogging, a husband who works from home, and kids who love to draw and write....it's necessary to have a variety of writing supplies on hand that everyone can use and enjoy. Thankfully, Shoplet is just the source to do that!

For those who are not familiar with Shoplet, it was founded in 1994 and is the leading purely online office supply retailer. Over the years they have continued to grow and are now an award-winning website with over 400,000 products to ensure that everyone is able to find everything they need for their home and business when it comes to office supplies.

Having such a need for writing and drawing supplies in our household, I was excited to learn we were going to have the opportunity to review several products from Shoplet.

 

We were sent:

Roaring Spring Landscape Format Writing Pad College Ruled

Roaring Spring Landscape Format Writing Pad Quad Ruled 

Roaring Spring Wirebound Notebook 1 Subject

Roaring Spring Wirebound Notebook 3 Subject

Roaring Spring Environotes Sugarcane Notebook

Roaring Spring Elephant PooPoo Paper 

Although my husband works from home, he travels around and meets with his customers almost daily throughout the week. He is constantly taking notes during their meetings on things that need to be improved, ways to follow up, etc. Having a paper notebook that is durable and a size that's easy to carry around with him is a must. That's why he was instantly drawn to the Roaring Spring Environotes Sugarcane Notebook.

He has mentioned how much he likes the smaller size. At just 9.5" x 6" he's able to easily carry it with him to his meetings. The sheets of paper are perfect for the notetaking he needs to do and best of all the paper is produced from sustainable sugarcane fiber which I think is fantastic! 

I have found the Roaring Spring Wirebound Notebook 3 subject to be perfect in helping me stay organized....especially when it comes to keeping product reviews and contacts straight with my blog, as well as my Scentsy business. I love that each subject has a different color of paper, as this makes staying organized easier than ever (and it's cute and fun too!). 

I also LOVE that there's a double sided folder in the front to keep loose papers and things I need to keep on hand. As a mom I'm always looking for ways to stay more organized, and this durable notebook with recycled colored paper has definitely helped! It would also be perfect for college students who are taking many courses. 

Finally, there's Kaelyn (my 4 year old) who absolutely loves to write. She's always asking for note pads, writing supplies so that she's able to practice her name, letters, the names of others, words, etc. Now she's able to do just that with her very own Roaring Spring Landscape Format Writing Pad College Ruled.

It's really the perfect way to keep all of her writings (and drawings) in one place. She pulls it out to show people when they come over and is something she is very proud of. 

These are just a few of the products we received from Roaring Spring, and overall we've been very pleased with all of them. The quality is fantastic, and best of all it's helped our family stay organized, encourage creativity and writing for the kids, and use recycled products which helps our environment. I've enjoyed learning more about Roaring Spring and will definitely be checking out more of their products in the future, as it's super easy to browse and find a notebook online.

**The products for this review were provided for free. All opinions are my own and were not influenced in any way.**

When it came time to finding a pillow for her son, Jackie Than ran into the same problems many parents face. Finding the right pillow was not as easy as it sounds. She found cotton pillows to be a breeding ground for mites, buckwheat too uncomfortable and dusty, feathers had no shape and did not offer the support needed, and memory foam is made from harsh chemicals. Considering the average infant and child sleep up to 16 hours a day, she felt it important to find something that was hypoallergenic, natural and most importantly provided the support that growing children need.

Although we don't use a pillow with Caysen, during the day I like to have something to help support his head. He has a bit of a flat spot on the back from the way he lays when he sleeps at night. Instead of having him on the floor playing with his head flat against the floor, I've been looking for something that would cushion his head while preventing the flatness. That's when I remembered Madii & Dyl and their Sookie Babe Newborn Nod Booster!

For those who visit here often, you may remember the review I did of their Mini Me Cozy Kids Pillow! We have been very happy with the quality and comfort it offers, which is why I was thrilled to learn they had a pillow designed for daytime head support....one that has a cradle design to prevent roll-overs and flat-heads! Knowing that their pillows are made from 100% certified organic latex and contain no chemicals....I was excited to learn we were going to have the opportunity to review the Sooki Babe Pillow. After all, who wouldn't want their child using a safe, hypo-allergenic and dust-mite, mildew and bacteria resistant pillow?!

Features/Benefits: 

• For daytime head support
• Cradle design prevents roll-overs and flat-heads
• Self-ventilating cores provide maximum air flow
• Designed for infants 3 months +

When the pillow arrived, I was excited to get it out and see how the quality compared to our Mini Me. 


Once again, Madii & Dyl did not disappoint! This pillow is extremely soft and cushy! It even comes with a polyester pillow protector and pure cotton pillow case as well! 

The size is really nice too! It's really the perfect size for little heads...Caysen lays on it very well. I can tell this is something he'll be able to use for quite some time...and knowing that it is the only pillow that can be washed and keep it's shape up to 5 years lets me know it's something that will last us a long time too!! YAY!

Caysen has used this pillow a lot, and the thing I like most about it, is the unique cradle design. This has helped prevent the flathead when he's laying on his back while also naturally conforming to his head providing correct neck support and spine alignment. 


I also like the self-ventilating cores which provide maximum air flow to prevent moisture and heat build-up. This allows Caysen to breath freely in any position. It helps keep him cool which is great as well! He seems to love it!

Since trying the Sookie Babe and Mini Me Pillows from Madii & Dyl, I'd love to get the Teenii Tot toddler comfort pillow for Kaden at some point. It's ideal for toddlers and walkers and has a distinctive wave design that conforms to the child's head, offering proper neck support and spine alignment. As someone who gets hot easily, I think he'd love that it too has self-ventilating cores that provide maximum air flow!


Overall we've been really happy with the Sookie Babe. It's a great, all-natural, hypoallergenic and chemical-free way to keep Caysen comfortable by offering head support during the day and preventing a flat head. It's practical for kids, as are their other children's pillows. 

If you'd like to learn more about Madii & Dyl, head over and visit their website, Facebook page and Twitter page.


**The product for this review was provided for free, however all opinions are my own**

As a busy mom of three little ones, I'm always looking for ways to make my day to day tasks easier. I've learned one of the best ways to do this is start by being more organized, and am thankful that Epson is there to help!
Epson America Inc. is a leading provider of digital imaging products and known for their high quality, functional, compact and energy efficient range of products. Whether you're looking for printers, scanners, or 3LCD projecters....they have it all.

For those who visit here often you know we are huge fans of the Epson Brand. I have owned several of their products and have always been very happy with the quality and ease of use. I enjoy browsing their great selection of printers often, and recently was drawn to their LabelWorks Printer LW-400. What better way to become more organized than being able to label things easily?!? 

Features/Benefits:

• Back-lit, two-line display for easy readability in all types of lighting
• Choose from 14 font types and 10 font styles
• Built-in memory stores up to 50 label design files
• Prints up to four lines of text
• Accomodates tapes from 6mm to 18 mm wide
• Wide variety of tape sizes and colors available (work and home safety label tapes, iron-on clothing labels, decorative tapes for scrapbooking, etc). 

We were sent the Epson LabelWorks LW-400 to review, and I couldn't have been happier! I had a feeling this was the answer I've been looking for.

When the LabelWorks printer arrived I was happy to see that along with the printer were three different tapes to help me in testing it out. There was the 18mm black on silver tape, 12 mm iron-on (fabric) tape, and 18 mm iron-on (fabric) tape.

I was immediately impressed to see that this label printer was not only going to help me stay organized with labeling different things in my kitchen, storage closet, etc...but I could also use it to label my kids' clothes as well!

Of course, once I had checked it all out...I couldn't wait to see how it worked! Thankfully, after reading through the user-friendly instructions provided I got started in no time. The LabelWorks LW-400 can be ready to use in a matter of minutes in just two easy steps. First, I began by installing six AA batteries (which are not included with the printer). I then installed the 18 mm tape black on white tape that was included.

 

My kitchen is the room in my home that needs to be organized the most. I have been wanting to get my containers of sugar, flower, oatmeal, rice, etc...labeled for a long time so I had fun getting started with the Label Printer from Epson! To begin, I turned on the unit and was immediately impressed with the back-lit screen which makes it easy to see everything. I then browsed through the 300+ different symbols and 75+ different frames. I love that the LabelWorks printer lets me customize each and every label I make. It was neat to see how many symbols and frames there are. Whether you're printing off labels for office items, household items, electrical, or something else...this label printer has it all!

I found the household symbols and a picture of candy. I used that symbol and then found a font and style I liked. Once I had typed in the word candy next to the image, I simply pressed the green print button and it quickly printed out.

I was amazed with the quality of the label. The printing was exceptional and the label it self is something that adheres well to storage containers, files etc.

I also did the same with many other items in our kitchen, as well as my husband's home office and our storage room. My husband's office was in need of some major organization. Thanks to the specialty label print models like cable and wire wrap and tab, we were able to get things organized and label everything he needed to.

I am still working on the storage room, but thanks to the LabelWorks LW-400 it will take no time at all to get everything labeled and easier to organize and find. A job I once would have dreaded is something I look forward to now!! I am also planning on doing the kids' playroom as well which aid in cleanup I think.

Using different tape colors for different applications has also been a lot of fun, and so easy to do! I've used the Metallic silver tape for gift tags and of course, the white iron on for some of my kids' gear. For instance, Kaelyn's vest for church on Wednesday nights was constantly getting mixed up with the other children. Now that I've added her name to it though, we have had no problem at all. Best of all...it was so easy to do!

Overall I've been very impressed with the Epson LabelWorks LW-400 Printer. The quality is fantastic and it is very simple to use. With all of the different features and options, as well as variety of tapes, I am on my way to becoming more organized and staying that way! Whether you're wanting to organize things at home, at work, or even your your garage...this label works printer is perfect for every job. I would definitely recommend it to others...and with Mother's Day not far away, think it would make an amazing gift for every busy mom.


Buy It: You can purchase the Epson LabelWorks LW-400 for $49.99.

 You can also connect with Epson America on Twitter and Facebook.

**The product for this review was provided for free. All opinions are my own and were not influenced in any way.**

As a busy mom of three, one thing I am always looking to do is make daily tasks a little easier. Whether it be cleaning the house or reducing the clutter...finding products that are made with the busy parent in mind are much appreciated! And, when it comes to clutter...that specifically means my kitchen! It seems our kitchen is the catch all for mail, dirty dishes, snacks...even recyclables. Our recycling containers have always been in our garage, and although that's not too far from the kitchen...it usually means things end up sitting on the counters waiting to get taken out. I've always thought how nice it would be to have an easy way to sort these items without having it look like an eyesore in my home. Thanks to Rubbermaid, I now do!

Rubbermaid agrees that recycling matters, which is why they have a line of great products perfect for almost every need. Whether you live in a tight space, or need a better way of sorting out recyclables and making it an easier task....you're sure to find something that suits your situation perfectly.

As someone who has owned many Rubbermaid products over the years, I have always been very impressed with the quality and functionality of their products. That's why I couldn't have been happier to learn about their recycling bins and that we were going to have the opportunity to review one!

After taking a short survey, it was determined that the 2-in-1 Recycler would be the most useful in our household.

 

When it arrived, I was immediately impressed with the quality. Once again, Rubbermaid did not disappoint. I can tell this is something that will last and last. The 2-in-1 Recycler is also attractive and not something I mind having in my home. It's sleek and simple.

Of course, aside from it's visual appearance, this product has a great deal to offer.

Features/Benefits:

• Contain trash and recyclables all in one location or sort your recyclables
• Sleek design blends into kitchen décor
• Features LinerLock™ bag management in lower bin
• Removable lid
• Fold-away handles
• 5.8 gal sorting bin
• 7.4 gal tilt out bin with Liner Lock™ handles
• Total capacity = 13.2 gal
• Perfect for multi-stream or single stream recycling

The one thing I appreciate most about the 2-in-1 Recycler is that it keeps recyclables off my counters by giving them a place to live in the kitchen. I no longer have them sitting out until someone has time to take them to the garage, I can simple put them in the bin, hidden and secreasing the clutter in our home.

Another neat feature is that the bottom has a tilt out bin which can hold a standard 8-gallon trash bag. If you like to put your recyclables in a bag, or want to use it for trash...this is a great feature to have. There's even LinerLock bag management so your bag stays put and does not slip. I LOVE it!

I absolutely love that there two compartments in one. We can choose to either use one as our recycle bin and the other for trash...or even better for our household...use both to sort our recyclables (plastic, glass, etc).

Both the top bin and the bottom bin have a convenient handle and can be taken apart. This is great when the bins fill up and they need to be transported to our garage where they are stored until pick-up.

 

I have found it much easier to carry out our recyclables a couple of times a week, rather than every time we use something. It has made recycling easier and more convenient which is great for any busy household.

Buy It: You can purchase the Rubbermaid 2-in-1 Recycler for $39.99.

Win It: One very lucky reader is going to win a 2-in-1 Recycler from Rubbermaid (Open to US & Canada)! Just enter my Rafflecopter giveaway below... (if you don't see the Rafflecopter form, click here)


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**The products for this review and giveaway were provided for free. All opinions are my own and were not influenced in any way.**

I love finding comfortable, high quality and stylish clothing for my kids...but with three little ones to buy for, I also need for the things I buy to be affordable. It is not always an easy task, that's why I'm thankful for a company like MyBabyClothes.com!

MyBabyClothes.com is dedicated to bringing you the most fashion forward, unique baby clothes and accessories on the web. Their team searches to find the cutest, most comfortable, and highest quality clothes at a guaranteed lowest price. The prices really are great! Just check out these great finds...

Good Lad White Argyle Sweater Shirt and Pant Set for $28.99

Vitamins Turquoise Damask Print Tutu One Piece for $19.99

When I was first introduced to My Baby Clothes last summer, I was impressed with their large selection of trendy children's clothes for girls and boys. Not just that, but their low prices caught my eye as well. As I was recently browsing their website looking for a few new things for my youngest, Caysen, I found many new styles and affordable prices. The Vitamins Blue Limited Edition Plaid Shorts Set stood out to me right away, and I couldn't have been happier to learn we were going to have the opportunity to review it!

When the set arrived, I was happy to see that it was packaged so nicely. This not only kept it safe while being shipped, but it also looks great and would make it perfect for gift giving.

Of course I couldn't wait to check it out and see what it looked like out of the package and on Caysen. As I took it out, I was immediately impressed with the quality and detail. This is a unique outfit that I know will not only be comfortable for Caysen, but also absolutely adorable on!

The set includes a classic white tee with short sleeves and classic shorts. The shirt stood out to me right away, not only are the colors great, but I also LOVE the details! The thing that stood out to me right away, was the appliqued necktie of plaid! Isn't it cute?!?

There's also a pocket on the left chest which has a limited edition logo. It matches perfectly and give it that added touch of style and uniqueness.

The shorts are equally as adorable. They match the appliqued tie with blue, green and white plaid. It really brings the outfit together. I love the colors used in this outfit...they're perfect for a little boy and great for spring and summer.

We received the 9 months size for Caysen. I knew it was going to be a little big, as he's still in 6 month clothes...but as quickly as he's been growing, I know it will fit him perfectly this summer. With the weather warm, this shorts and tee set will be just perfect!

When I put it on him to try on, it was even more adorable! I think he liked it too. :)

I love that the shirt is longer and doesn't ride up easily. The back of the shirt also buttons up which is much appreciated. There are some shirts that are difficult to get over his head, so having something that unbuttons, makes getting dressed more tolerable for him.

The shorts are also great, as they have an elastic waistband. I love this, as I know it is made to grow with him and will fit him for quite some time. 

Overall we've been very impressed with the overall quality, style and comfort of the outfit we were sent from MyBabyClothes.com. For parents who are looking for trendy baby clothes and accessories like tutus and baby hats at great prices...I would definitely recommend checking them out. I know I will be heading over their again soon to look for something for Kaelyn and Kaden. I've even got my eye on some of the baby headbands for our new niece!

Buy It: You can purchase the Vitamins Blue Limited Edition Plaid Shorts Set for $21.99 at MyBabyClothes.com.

Win It: One very lucky reader is going to win a $25 Gift Certificate to MyBabyClothes.com (Open US Only)! Just enter my Rafflecopter giveaway below... (if you don't see the Rafflecopter form, click here)


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**The products for this review and giveaway were provided for free. All opinions are my own.**